Leg wear with integral brace sleeve

ABSTRACT

A leg wear apparatus including at least one side portion having first and second ends and positioned between front and rear portions, where the first end of the at least one side portion is attached to a waistband. The leg wear includes at least one leg portion that expands along a leg of a wearer, wherein the at least one leg portion is attached to the second end of the at least one side portion. The leg wear further includes a sleeve that expands along a thigh of the wearer, where the sleeve is attached to the at least one leg portion. The sleeve may extend upwards along the thigh to permit placement of a brace over the leg of the wearer. The sleeve may further extend downwards along the thigh and compress the brace against the thigh.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Prov. App. No. 61/808,476, filed Apr. 4, 2013, titled “LEG WEAR WITH INTEGRAL BRACE SLEEVE,” which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

For sports and other activities requiring movement, it is not uncommon for a participant to don a knee brace, such as a ligament brace, either to protect an existing injury or as a preventative measure. Such knee braces are commercially available, for example, from Ossur.

One problem with these knee braces is that they tend to slip during intense phases of activity. Accordingly, a separate compression sleeve is often worn over the brace and at least part of the upper leg in order to support the brace. However, the participant often also wears separate legwear such as long pants or shorts that includes protective padding around the upper leg. In such a case, the sleeve may not fit properly around the brace and padding and/or the sleeve may tend to pull the padding downwardly along with the brace.

SUMMARY

Embodiments include leg wear including an integral sleeve adapted to be positioned over a knee brace. The leg wear more particularly includes a waistband configured to expand along a waist of a wearer. The leg wear includes a front portion having first and second ends, where the first end of the front portion is attached to the waistband. The leg wear includes a rear portion having first and second ends. The first end of the rear portion is attached to the waistband, and the second end of the rear portion is attached to the second end of the front portion. The leg wear includes at least one side portion having first and second ends and positioned between the front and rear portions. The first end of the at least one side portion is attached to the waistband. The leg wear further includes at least one leg portion configured to expand along a leg of the wearer. The at least one leg portion is attached to the second end of the at least one side portion. The leg wear also includes a sleeve configured to expand along a thigh of the wearer, which is attached to an upper portion of the at least one leg portion. The sleeve is configured to extend upwards along the thigh to permit placement of a brace over the leg of the wearer. The sleeve is further configured to extend downwards along the thigh and compress the brace against the thigh. In certain embodiments, the sleeve may include protective padding positioned along the upper thigh of the wearer.

While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of the lower half of a wearer donning legwear including an integral brace sleeve, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 1B illustrates a perspective view of the lower half of a wearer donning legwear including an integral brace sleeve extended downward over a brace, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates a rear view of the legwear shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the legwear similar to that shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B including a cuff, according to some embodiments.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a perspective view of the legwear with shortened leg portions, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 5 illustrates a rear view of the legwear with shortened leg portions, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the legwear with shortened leg portions, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention in which the brace sleeve includes impact protection on an outer portion of the thigh, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention in which the brace sleeve includes impact protection an inner portion of the thigh, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example legwear with protective layers located on the side portions, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example legwear with a protective layer located on the front portion, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example leg wear with a protective layer located on the rear portion, according to some embodiments.

While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments are directed to legwear having an integral brace sleeve. FIGS. 1A and 1B show a front view of an example legwear 10, and FIG. 2 shows a rear view of the example legwear 10. In some embodiments, the legwear 10 includes a waistband 12, a front portion 14, side portions 16 and 18, and a rear portion 20. As illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2, the legwear 10 may be positioned on a lower body of a wearer wearing the legwear 10. According to some embodiments, the waistband 12 is configured to expand over the waist of the wearer. In some embodiments, as shown, the front portion 14 and rear portion 20 may be a single piece attached to the waistband 12 forming a loop. In other embodiments, the front 14 and rear 20 portions may be separate pieces each having one end that attaches to the waist band 12, and each having another end that may be attached and detached from each other. The front 14 and rear 20 portions are attached to the waistband 12 via any desired method such as conventional stitching. In other embodiments, the front 14 and rear 20 portions are detachable from the waistband 12.

The side portions 16 and 18 each may be attached to the waistband 12 via any desired method such as conventional stitching. In some embodiments, the side portions 16 and 18 may be detachable from the waistband 12. In some embodiments, spacing is provided between the front portion 14 and each of side portions 16 and 18, and spacing is provided between the rear portion 20 and each of side portions 16 and 18. In some embodiments, the spacings are spanned by separate pieces of material. In other embodiments, the waist band 12, front portion 14, side portions 16 and 18, and rear portion 20 are formed of a single piece of material that is stitched to form a pair shorts.

In some embodiments, as shown, the legwear 10 includes leg portions 22 and 24 that are configured to expand over the wearer's legs. The wearer may don a knee brace 26 over either leg portion 22 and 24. Each leg portion 22 and 24 optionally extends below the wearer's knee. In some embodiments, each leg portion 22 and 24 is attached to side portions 16 and 18, respectively, via any desired method such as conventional stitching. In some embodiments, each leg portion 22 and 24 is detachable from side portions 16 and 18, respectively. Accordingly, in one example, a wearer may don the leg wear 10 on their lower body by sliding there legs between the front 14 and rear 20 portions and fitting the waistband 12 around their waist. The wearer may subsequently slide leg portions 22 and 24 over their legs and attach the leg portions to side portions 16 and 18, respectively. As another example, where the leg portions 22 and 24 are already attached to the side portions 16 and 18, respectively, the wearer may put on the legwear 10 by simultaneously sliding their legs between the front 14 and rear 20 portions and the leg portions 22 and 24. The wearer may subsequently place the knee brace 26 over either leg portion 22 and 24 after putting on the legwear 10.

Also shown, in some embodiments, the legwear 10 includes integral brace sleeves 30 and 32. In some embodiments, the brace sleeves 30 and 32 are attached over and around an upper region of each leg portion 22 and 24, respectively, and are configured to be positioned over the wearer's thighs. The brace sleeves 30 and 32 may be attached to the leg portions 22 and 24, respectively, via conventional stitching that extends at least partially around the front portion 14, one side portion 16 or 18, rear portion 20 and optionally around the inner thigh of the wearer. In some embodiments, the sleeve 30 is stitched along its entire perimeter. In some embodiments, the sleeve 30 is stitched at a higher position adjacent the wearer's outer thigh than the wearer's inner thigh. In another embodiment, certain regions are not stitched to the legwear 10. In alternative embodiments, brace sleeves 30 and 32 may include one or more snap buttons with corresponding fasteners on the side portions 16 and 18, respectively, and leg portions 22 and 24, respectively. Accordingly, the brace sleeves 30 and 32 may be fastened to at least the side portions 16 and 18, respectively, by snapping the buttons on the braces sleeves 30 and 32 over corresponding fasteners on the side portions 16 and 18, respectively.

In some embodiments, the brace sleeves 30 and 32 may extend downwardly to a point generally at or above the knee of the wearer such that the brace 26 is at least partially covered and secured by the sleeves 30 or 32. As an example, FIG. 1A illustrates brace sleeve 30 attached to leg portion 16 and extended upward showing an inner surface of the brace sleeve 30. In this position, the wearer may place the knee brace 26 over the leg portion 22. FIG. 1B illustrates the brace sleeve 30 extended downward where the brace sleeve 30 is at least partially covering the knee brace 26 showing an outer surface of the brace sleeve 30. When the brace sleeve 30 is extended downward as illustrated in FIG. 1B, the brace sleeve 30 applies compression to the knee brace 26, which provides additional support of the knee brace against the wearer's body.

The legwear 10 may be formed from any desired synthetic or natural materials. In some embodiments, the legwear 10 is formed from a compression material such as Neoprene, Lycra, or similar synthetic material. The sleeve 30 can be formed from the same material as the rest of the legwear 10 or it may be formed from a different material having a different compression characteristic. In some embodiments the leg portions 22 and 24 and the inner surfaces of the brace sleeves 30 and 32 may have ridged surfaces. Accordingly, the ridged surface on leg portion 22 prevents slippage of the knee brace 26. Similarly, when the brace sleeve 30 is rolled downward and at least partially covers the knee brace 26, the ridged surface on the inner portion surface of the brace sleeve 30 prevents slippage of the knee brace 26.

FIG. 3 is a side view of legwear 110, according to some embodiments. Legwear 110 is similar to legwear 10 and numbered similarly for similar features, such as waistband 112, wide portion 116, rear portion 120, and leg portion 122. However, legwear 110 includes a brace sleeve 130 and a cuff 131 attached to the inner surface of the brace sleeve 130. The brace sleeve 130 and cuff 131 can have various overall heights. As shown, the cuff 131 has an overall height less than an overall height of the brace sleeve 130. In other embodiments, the brace sleeve 130 includes more than one cuff 131. In various embodiments, brace sleeves for both legs include cuffs. In some embodiments, cuff 131 is formed from an elastic material. The elastic material may apply additional compression to the knee brace. In further embodiments, the cuff 131 may include an anti-slip material such as silicone, for example.

In some embodiments, the legwear 10 includes shortened leg portions such that the lower portions of the wearer's leg are not covered. FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5, and 6 illustrate an example legwear 10 with leg portions 20 and 22 that extend downwards just above the knee. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4A, the leg portion 20 extends down the wearer's leg far enough to be covered by an upper portion of the knee brace, and is longer than the brace sleeve 30. In other embodiments, the brace sleeve 30 may be longer than the shortened leg portion 20. FIG. 4B illustrates the leg wear 10 with the shortened leg portion 20 and the extended brace sleeve 30 extended downwards. FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate rear and side views, respectively, of the legwear 10 with the shortened leg portions 22 and 24.

In some embodiments, the legwear 10 includes an outer protective layer that protects the wearer's outer thigh from impact. For example, FIG. 7 illustrates the legwear 10 with an outer protective layer 70 located on the brace sleeve 30 on the outer portion of the wearer's thigh. In some embodiments, the legwear 10 includes an inner protective layer that protects the wearer's inner thigh from impact. For example, FIG. 8 illustrates the legwear 10 with an inner protective layer 80 located on the brace sleeve 30 on the inner portion of the wearer's thigh. In these embodiments, additional protection is provided to the wearer's upper legs without being covered by or otherwise interfering with the knee brace 26. In some embodiments, either protective layer includes a rigid material capable of deflecting impact and/or a softer material capable of absorbing impact. The outer protective layer 70 and inner protective layer and 80 can include harder impact shields and/or padding, for example.

In some embodiments, the outer protective layer 70 and inner protective layer 80 are attached to an outer surface of the brace sleeve 30 via any desired method such as conventional stitching. In other embodiments, the outer protective layer 70 and inner protective layer 80 are separate individual pieces that slide onto the brace sleeve 30. As an example, after the wearer puts on the legwear 10, the wearer individually slides the outer protective layer 70 and inner protective layer 80 over the brace sleeve 30.

In other embodiments, the outer protective layer 70 and inner protective layer 80 form an individual piece that slides over the brace sleeve 30 where the outer protective layer is positioned on the outer portion of the wearer's thigh, and the inner protective layer is positioned on the inner portion of the wearer's thigh. In additional embodiments, the outer protective layer 70 and inner protective layer 80 may be integrated within the brace sleeve 30 by stitching the outer surfaces of the brace sleeve 30 over the outer protective layer 70 and inner protective layer 80. In further embodiments, the legwear 10 may include additional protective layers on or over the brace sleeve 30 that covers the back and/or front portions of the wearer's thigh.

In some embodiments, the legwear 10 may include a protective layer on or over the side portion 16. FIG. 9 illustrates an example legwear 10 with protective layer 90 located on side portion 16. The protective layer 90 may be attached to the outer surface of side portion 16. As another example, the protective layers 90 may be integrated within the side portion 16 by stitching the outer surfaces of the side portions 16 over the protective layer 90. In some embodiments, a protective layer similar to the protective layer 90 described above may attached to the side portion 18 as described above.

In further embodiments, the legwear 10 may include a protective layer on or over the front portion 14. FIG. 10 illustrates an example legwear 10 with protective layer 100 located on the front portion 14. The protective layer 100 may be attached to the outer surface of the front portion 14. As another example, the protective layer 100 may be integrated within the front portion 14 by stitching the outer surfaces of the front portion 14 over the protective layer 100.

In further embodiments, the legwear 10 may include a protective layer on or over the rear portion 20. FIG. 11 illustrates an example legwear 10 with protective layer 105 located on the rear portion 20. The protective layer 105 may be attached to the outer surface of the rear portion 20. As another example, the protective layer 105 may be integrated within the rear portion 20 by stitching the outer surfaces of the rear portion 20 over the protective layer 105.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, while the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the above described features. 

The following is claimed:
 1. A leg wear apparatus comprising: a waistband configured to expand along a waist of a wearer; a front portion having first and second ends, the first end of the front portion attached to the waistband; a rear portion having first and second ends, the first end of the rear portion attached to the waistband opposite the front portion, the second end of the rear portion attached to the second end of the front portion; a side portion having first and second ends and positioned between the front and rear portions, the first end of the side portion attached to the waistband; a leg portion having an upper portion, the leg portion configured to expand along a leg of the wearer and attached to the second end of the side portion; and a sleeve configured to expand along a thigh of the wearer over the leg portion, the sleeve attached to the upper portion of the leg portion, wherein the sleeve is configured to extend upwards along the thigh to permit placement of a brace over the leg of the wearer, and the sleeve is configured to extend downwards along the thigh and compress the brace against the thigh.
 2. The leg wear apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: another side portion having first and second ends and positioned between the front and rear portions opposite the side portion, the first end of the another side portion connected to the waistband; another leg portion having an upper portion, the another leg portion configured to expand along another leg of the wearer and attached to the second end of the another side portion; and another sleeve configured to expand along another thigh of the wearer on the another leg, the another sleeve attached to an upper portion of the another leg portion, wherein the another sleeve is configured to extend upwards along the thigh to permit placement of another brace over the another leg of the wearer, and the another sleeve is configured to extend downwards along the another thigh and compress the brace against the another thigh.
 3. The leg wear apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve includes a cuff configured to compress the brace against the thigh when the sleeve is extended downwards.
 4. The leg wear apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the leg portion extends below a wearer's knee and has a lower portion.
 5. The leg wear apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve is attached to the leg portion via conventional stitching extending at least partially around the front portion and the side portion.
 6. The leg wear apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an inner protective layer positioned over an inner thigh of the wearer.
 7. The leg wear apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the inner protective layer is integrated within the sleeve.
 8. The leg wear apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an outer protective layer positioned over an outer thigh of the wearer.
 9. The leg wear apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the outer protective layer is integrated within the sleeve.
 10. The leg wear apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve is composed of at least one compression material.
 11. The leg wear apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the cuff is composed of at least one anti-slip material.
 12. The leg wear apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an inner surface of the sleeve includes a ridged pattern.
 13. The leg wear apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the front portion includes a protective layer.
 14. The leg wear apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the protective layer is integrated within the front portion.
 15. The leg wear apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rear portion includes a protective layer.
 16. The leg wear apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the protective layer is integrated within the rear portion.
 17. The leg wear apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the side portion includes a protective layer.
 18. The leg wear apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the protective layer is integrated within the side portion.
 19. The leg wear apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the leg portion does not extend below a wearer's knee. 